Product Packaging

ABSTRACT

Described herein are systems relating to packaging boxes. In some implementations, the packaging boxes include one or more trays used to support product cups, such as k-cups. The product cups, for example, can be used to hold tea, coffee, or flavoring. Some examples of flavoring include honey or other liquid flavoring a user can add to tea or coffee to adjust the flavor of the tea or coffee (e.g., honey comb and lemon grass, creamer, orange marmalade, mint peach, etc.). The packaging boxes can include a longitudinal axis parallel to the top and a long side of the box. The trays placed in the packaging boxes, for example, can have a similar longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the packaging box.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication no. 61/469,262, filed on Mar. 30, 2011, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Tea is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, or stems ofvarious varieties of the Camellia sinensis plant, processed and curedusing various methods. The word “tea” occasionally refers to thearomatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination withwater. Occasionally, loose-leaf tea is placed in an infuser or a tea bagis placed in a cup during the tea brewing process.

Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted seeds, called coffeebeans, of the coffee plant. Ground coffee can be placed in a filter of acoffee maker or in a French press during the process to make coffee.Sometimes, during the brewing process, a coffee bag is steeped in hotwater.

Some coffee and tea makers automate the brew making process by quicklybrewing a single serving of coffee or tea using a pod, pad, or cup thatcontains the desired flavor of coffee or tea. For example, pre-packagedground coffee beans are placed in a coffee pod, which includes a filter,and the coffee pod is used to brew a cup of coffee. The pods, pads, orcups can be sealed to protect the coffee or tea from oxygen and moisturethat would cause the coffee or tea to spoil.

Some automated brewers can heat water to a temperature around 192°Fahrenheit, direct the hot water through the pod, and prepare a singleserving of coffee, tea, or another hot beverage in about 20 to about 60seconds. Some examples of prepackaged coffee or tea include “k-cups,”“t-discs” and packages made for systems such as Flavia and Nespresso.

SUMMARY

Described herein are systems relating to packaging boxes. In someimplementations, the packaging boxes include one or more trays used tosupport product cups, such as k-cups. The product cups, for example, canbe used to hold tea, coffee, or flavoring. Some examples of flavoringinclude honey or other liquid flavoring a user can add to tea or coffeeto adjust the flavor of the tea or coffee (e.g., honey comb and lemongrass, creamer, orange marmalade, mint peach, etc.).

The packaging boxes can include a longitudinal axis parallel to the topand a long side of the box. The trays placed in the packaging boxes, forexample, can have a similar longitudinal axis parallel to thelongitudinal axes of the packaging box.

In some implementations, each packaging box includes two trays and eachtray supports between about four and about eight product cups. In otherimplementations, each packaging box includes four trays and each traysupports between about three and about six product cups.

In another implementation, a packaging box includes multiple dividersthat form separate apertures in the packaging box. Each of the aperturescan be used to hold a product in place, such as a tea bag.

The packaging boxes can be made from opaque materials, such as recycledcardboard or cardstock. Alternatively, the packaging boxes can bemanufactured from translucent material, such as frosted plastic.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawing and description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate perspective views of a large product box.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate perspective views of product trays.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate perspective views of a small product box.

Like reference symbols in various drawing indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATIONS

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate perspective views of a large product box 100. Thelarge product box 100 includes a front surface 102, a first side surface104, and a top surface 106. Additionally, the large product box 100includes a back surface, a second side surface, and a bottom surface(not shown).

The front surface 102 is fixedly mounted to the bottom surface. Forexample, the front surface 102 is made from the same piece of materialas the bottom surface and the material is folded along a first edge 108separating the front surface 102 from the bottom surface.

Alternatively, the front surface 102 is fixedly mounted to the bottomsurface with adhesive that holds the front surface 102 in place withrespect to the bottom surface. In other implementations, fastenersattach the front surface 102 to the bottom surface along the first edge108.

In some implementations, the front surface 102 includes a logo. Thelogo, for example, depicts a company or a product name associated with aproduct (e.g., coffee or tea) located in the large product box 100.Alternatively, the first side surface 104 includes a company logo andthe front surface 102 includes a product logo. The location and types oflogos placed on the large product box 100 may vary.

The front surface 102 is made from a translucent polymer, such asplastic. For example, a recycled plastic with an opacity between about25% to about 90%, preferably between about 30% to about 75%, morepreferably about 50%, is used for the front surface 102. In anotherexample, the front surface 102 is manufactured from a frosted plastic.

The front surface 102 is optionally manufactured from paper stock. Forexample, paper stock with a weight between about 0 to about 500 poundsis used, preferably between 50 to about 110 pounds, more preferablyabout 100 pounds. The paper stock can be recycled and/or have a raw ornatural appearance.

In some implementations, the front surface 102 includes a border 110that is adjacent to an edge of the front surface 102. For example, theborder 110 can be adjacent to the first edge 108. Alternatively, theborder 110 is positioned along another edge or all edges of the frontsurface 102.

The border 110 is silk screened onto the front surface 102. For example,the border 110 is ink that has been printed on a portion of the frontsurface 102 and the front surface 102 is made from a unitary piece ofmaterial. Alternatively, the border 110 is attached to the front surface102. For example, the border 110 is paperboard attached to a frontsurface 102 manufactured from plastic. The paperboard is attached to theplastic using adhesive, such as glue, in this example, the border 110extends out from the front surface 102.

The border 110 is manufactured from a different material and/or has adifferent appearance than the front surface 102. For example, the border110 is black plastic and the front surface 102 is frosted white plastic.Alternatively, the border 110 can be made from cardboard or anothernatural fiber and the front surface 102 can be made from syntheticfiber.

In certain implementations, the border 110 includes a lower border 112and an upper border 114. For example, the lower border 112 is made fromcellulose (e.g., paperboard) and the upper border 114 is made frompolymer.

The lower border 112 and the upper border 114 can include differentdesigns or patterns. For example, the lower border 112 is a solid blackcolor and the upper border 114 includes vertical stripes of color.

The first side surface 104, the second side surface, and the backsurface are fixedly mounted to the bottom surface. For example, thefirst side surface 104 is fixedly mounted to the bottom surface along asecond edge 116. The first side surface 104, the second side surface andthe back surface are mounted to the bottom surface in a similar mannerto the mounting of the front surface 102 to the bottom surface. Forexample, the front surface 102, the first side surface 104, the backsurface, the second side surface, and the bottom surface are all madefrom a single sheet of material.

In some implementations, the front surface 102, the first side surface104, the back surface, and the second side surface are attached to thebottom surface in different ways. For example, the front surface 102,the bottom surface, and the back surface are made from a single sheet ofmaterial and the first side surface 104 and the second side surface areattached to the bottom surface with adhesive.

In certain implementations, one or more of the surfaces are attachedtogether with a lip. For example, the first side surface 104 includes alip along a third edge 118 and adhesive applied to the lip attaches thefirst side surface 104 to the front surface 102.

The top surface 106 is hingedly attached to the back surface. Forexample, the top surface 106 is attached to the back surface to allow auser to open and close the large product box 100. In someimplementations, the top surface 106 and the back surface are made fromthe same sheet of material.

Alternatively, the top surface 106 is manufactured from a differentsheet of material from the back surface. For example, the top surface106 is attached to the back surface with hinges.

The materials used to manufacture the large product box 100 can beinterchanged between the various parts (e.g., surfaces) of the largeproduct box 100. For example, all parts of the large product box 100 canbe manufactured from the same material. Alternatively, any part of thelarge product box 100 can be made from any of the materials describedabove or below with reference to product boxes.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cut out perspective view of the large product box100. The large product box 100 includes one or more product trays 120a-b used to support products in the large product box 100. For example,each of the product trays 120 a-b, described in more detail below,support a plurality of products, such as product cups that containcoffee or tea. In another example, the product cups contain flavoringthat a user can add to coffee or tea.

The large product box 100 includes an aperture located between the frontsurface 102, the first side surface 104, the top surface 106, the backsurface, the second side surface, and the bottom surface. The apertureremovably supports one or more of the product trays 120 a-b. Forexample, an upper facing of the bottom surface supports a bottom facingof one of the product trays 120 a-b. When a user opens the top surface106, the user has access to at least one of the product trays 120 a-band is able to remove the at least one product tray 120 a from the largeproduct box 100.

Each of the product trays 120 a-b includes a longitudinal axis Lparallel to the second edge 116 and the long side of the large productbox 100. For example, the longitudinal axis L is parallel to alongitudinal axis of the large product box 100.

The height of the large product box 100 is between about 2 to about 5inches, preferably between about 2 ¼ to about 4 inches, more preferablybetween about 2 ½ to about 3 inches. For example, the height of thelarge product box 100 is selected based on the size of the product trays120 a-b or other products placed in the aperture of the large productbox 100.

The width of the large product box 100 is between about 2 to about 4inches, preferably between about 2 ¼ to about 3 ½ inches, morepreferably between about 2 ½ to about 3 inches. For example, if each ofthe product trays 120 a-b are about 1 ½ inches wide and three producttrays 120 a-b support three rows of products cups along a latitudinalaxis N normal to the longitudinal axis L, the large product box 100 hasa width of about 4 ½ inches, and if the product trays 120 a-b supporttwo rows of product cups along the latitudinal axis N, the large productpackaging has a width of about 3 inches.

The depth of the large product box 100 is between about 3 to about 8inches, preferably between about 3 ½ to about 6 inches, more preferablybetween about 4 and about 5 inches. For example, the depth of the largeproduct box 100 is 4 ½ inches and each of the product trays 120 a-bsupports three product cups along the longitudinal axis L.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate perspective views of product trays 200. A smallproduct tray 200 a includes a first side surface 202, a top surface 204,a second side surface 206, and a bottom surface 208. The dimensions ofthe surfaces are selected to allow about 2-4 small product trays 200 ato rest side by side in a row in the aperture of the large product box100.

For example, two small product trays 200 a rest on the upper facing ofthe large product box's 100 bottom surface. In this example, the smallproduct tray has a width between about 1 to about 2 inches, preferablybetween about 1 ⅛ to about 1 ¾ inches, more preferably between about 1 ¼to about 1 ½ inches.

The large product box 100 supports two small product trays 200 a restingone on top of the other. For example, a first small product tray restson the upper facing of the large product box's 100 bottom surface and asecond small product tray rests on the top surface of the first smallproduct tray. In this example, the height of the small product tray 200a is between about 1 to about 2 ½ inches, preferably between about 1 ⅛to about 2 inches, more preferably between about 1 ¼ to about 1 ⅞inches.

The depth of the small product tray 200 a is about the same as the depthof the large product box 100. For example, when the depth of the largeproduct box 100 is about 4 inches, the depth of the small product tray200 a is less than about 4 inches to allow the small product tray 200 ato be removed from the large product box 100.

In some implementations, the depth of the small product tray 200 a ishalf the depth of the large product box 100. For example, if the largeproduct box 100 has a depth of about 5 inches, the depth of the smallproduct tray 200 a is about 2 ½ inches.

The small product tray 200 a supports a plurality of product cups 210a-c. For example, the small product tray 200 a supports between about 2to about 8 product cups 210 a-c, preferably between about 2 to about 6product cups 210 a-c, more preferably between about 3 to about 5 productcups 210 a-c. In some implementations, each of the product cups 210 a-cincludes tea, coffee, or a beverage flavoring. Each of the product cups210 a-c can include a different product, such as when the large productbox 100 is sold as an assortment package. Alternatively, each of theproduct cups 210 a-c contains a quantity of the same product.

A top surface of the product cups 210 a-c rests on the top surface 204of the small product tray 200 a. In some implementations, when the topsurface of the product cups 210 a-c rests on the top surface 204 of thesmall product tray 200 a, the small product tray 200 a providesadditional support to the product cups 210 a-c. In otherimplementations, each of the support apertures in the top surface 204 ofthe small product tray 200 a support the product cups 210 a-c below thetop surface of the product cups 210 a-c.

The small product tray 200 a includes one or more finger apertures 212adjacent to the apertures supporting the product cups 210 a-c. Thefinger apertures 212 allow a user to remove the product cups 210 a-cfrom the small product tray 200 a. In some implementations, the fingerapertures 212 allow the product cups 210 a-c to be more easily removedfrom the small product tray 200 a than if the small product tray 200 adid not include the finger apertures 212.

In some implementations, the small product tray 200 a includes a frontsurface and/or a back surface (not shown). In these implementations, thefront surface and/or the back surface provide the small product tray 200a with additional support for holding the product cups 210 a-c.

The small product tray 200 a can be manufactured from the same materialsas the large product box 100. In some implementations, the material usedfor the small product tray 200 a compliments the material of the largeproduct box 100 that is holding the small product tray 200 a. Forexample, the small product tray 200 a is manufactured from translucentplastic and the large product box 100 is manufactured from frostedplastic. In another example, when the large product box 100 supportsmultiple small product trays 200 a, each of the small product trays 200a can be manufactured from a different material or a have a differentappearance (e.g., color or texture).

The small product tray 200 a is made from a single sheet of material.For example, an outline of the small product tray 200 a is cut from asingle sheet of cardboard and folded to form the first side surface 202,the top surface 204, the second side surface 206, and the bottom surface208. A lip 214, attached to the bottom surface 208, is folder over andattached to the first side surface 202 with adhesive. Alternatively, thelip 214 is attached to the first side surface 202 with fasteners, suchas staples.

FIG. 2B illustrates a large product tray 200 b. The large product tray200 b includes a first side surface 216, a top surface 218, a secondside surface 220, and a bottom surface 222. The large product tray 200bcan be manufactured from the same materials as the small product tray200 a. In some implementations, the large product box 100 includes twolarge product trays 200 b.

The side surfaces of the large product tray 200 b can be connected inthe same manner as the side surfaces of the small product tray 200 a.For example, the large product tray 200 b can be manufactured from asingle sheet of material with the opposite ends attached with adhesive.

The height of the large product tray 200 b is selected based on theheight of the large product box 100 and the height of one or moreproduct cups 224 a-c supported by the large product tray 200 b. Forexample, the height of the large product tray 200 b can be between about½ to about ¼ the height of the large product box 100. In one example,when the height of the large product box 100 is about 4 inches, theheight of the large product tray 200 b is about 2 inches.

In another example, the large product box 100 can include two largeproduct trays 200 b on top of a support box. For example, when thesupport box has the same height as the border 110, the large product box100 can have a height of 3 ¾ inches and the border 110 can have a heightof ¾ inches. In this example, each of the large product trays 200 b hasa height of 1 ½ inches. The height of the border 110 is between about 0to about 2 inches, preferably between about ¼ to about 1 ½ inches, morepreferably between about ½ to about 1 inch.

The width of the large product tray 200 b is about the same as the widthof the large product box 100. For example, when the width of the largeproduct box 100 is 4 inches, the width of the large product tray 200 bis slightly less than 4 inches to allow the large product tray 200 b tobe removed from the large product box 100.

The depth of the large product tray 200 b is about the same as the depthof the large product box 100. For example, when the depth of the largeproduct box 100 is about 8 inches, the depth of the large product tray200 b is less than the depth of the large product box 100 (e.g., 7 15/16inches) to allow the large product tray 200 b to be removed from thelarge product box 100.

In some implementations, the depth of the large product tray 200 b ishalf the depth of the large product box 100. For example, if the largeproduct box 100 has a depth of 4 ½ inches, the depth of the largeproduct tray 200 b is 2 ¼ inches.

The large product tray 200 b supports between about 4 to about 12product cups 224 a-c, preferably between about 4 to about 10 productcups 224 a-c, more preferably between about 6 to about 8 product cups224 a-c. The product cups 224 a-c are supported by the top surface 218of the large product tray 200 b in a similar manner that the productcups 210 a-c supported by the top surface 204 of the small product tray200 a.

For example, the top surface 218 includes one support aperturecorresponding to each of the product cups 224 a-c where each supportaperture supports a side edge of a corresponding product cup 224 a-c.Each of the support apertures provides enough support to thecorresponding product cups 224 a-c to allow the product cups 224 a-c tobe easily removed from the aperture.

In some implementations, the top surface 218 of the large product tray200 b includes one or more finger apertures 226. Each of the fingerapertures 226 corresponds to one of the apertures in the top surface 218that support the product cups 224 a-c. In certain implementations, twoor more finger apertures 226 correspond to a single support apertureused to support one of the product cups 224 a-c.

In various implementations, the large product tray 200 b includes a backsurface and a front surface (not shown). The back surface and the frontsurface provide additional support to the large product tray 200 b forholding the product cups 224 a-c. In certain implementations, the frontsurface and the back surface have finger apertures that correspond withthe apertures in the top surface 218. For example, the front surfaceincludes a finger aperture that coincides with the finger aperture onthe front edge of the top surface 218, and the back surface includes afinger aperture that coincides with the finger aperture on the back edgeof the top surface 218.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate perspective views of a small product box 300. Thesmall product box 300 supports one or more products, such as tea bags.In one example, the tea bags are supported horizontally. In someimplementations, the tea bags are supported vertically by the smallproduct box 300. The tea bags can be either fiat or rolled depending onthe configuration of the small product box 300.

The small product box 300 includes a front surface 302, a first sidesurface 304, and a top surface 306. In some implementations, the frontsurface 302 includes a logo, such as a company or product logo,associated with the tea bags positioned in the small product box 300.

The small product box 300 includes a back surface, a second sidesurface, and a bottom surface (not shown). All of the surfaces of thesmall product box 300 are connected in a similar manner as the surfacesof the large product box 100. For example, the front surface 302, thefirst side surface 304, the back surface, and the second side surfaceare fixedly mounted to the bottom surface and the top surface 306 ishingedly mounted to the back surface allowing a user access to one ormore products located in the small product box 300.

In some implementations, the small product box 300 is made from similarmaterials as the materials used to manufacture the large product box100. For example, the small product box 300 includes a border 308manufactured from paperboard and the sides and top of the small productbox 300 are manufactured from unblended recycled papers.

The surfaces of the small product box 300 and the large product box 100are flat. In some implementations, the small product box 300 and/or thelarge product box 100 have multiple different types of surfaces. Forexample, when cardboard is used, the small product box 300 can have aninner fluted medium.

In certain implementations, one or more of the surfaces of the smallproduct box 300 and/or the large product box 100 include a texturedsurface or a partially textured surface. For example, one side of thetop surface 306 is textured and the other side of the top surface 306 issmooth. Alternatively, one portion of the top surface 306 is textured(e.g., for better grip by a user opening the small product box 300) andthe remaining portion of the top surface 306 is smooth.

In some implementations, the border 308 includes a lower border 310 andan upper border 312. The lower border 310 is made from materials similarto the lower border 112, and the upper border 312 is made from similarmaterials as the upper border 114. In certain implementations, the lowerborder 310 and/or the upper border 312 are manufactured from the samematerial as the front surface 302, the first side surface 304, and/orthe top surface 306.

The materials used to manufacture the surfaces of the small product box300 and/or the large product box 100 can be unbleached. Sometimesleaving the manufacturing material unbleached provides for a naturallook to a product box. Alternatively, the large product box 100 and/orthe small product box 300 can be made from a bleached material. Forexample, the material can be bleached in order to print a logo, image,or other coloring onto one of the surfaces of the product boxes.

Some of the materials used to manufacture the small product box 300and/or the large product box 100 can be certified. For example, thematerial can be organic, fair-trade, non-genetically modified organism(GMO), or kosher certified.

The small product box 300 includes a plurality of longitudinal dividers314 and a plurality of latitudinal dividers 316. The longitudinaldividers 314 and the latitudinal dividers 316 divide the small productbox 300 into a plurality of apertures 318 where each aperture 318supports one or more products 320. For example, a single aperture 318supports a single tea bag that is rolled and placed vertically into theaperture 318.

The height of the small product box 300 is between about 2 to about 5inches, preferably between about 2 ¼ to about 4 inches, more preferablybetween about 2 ½ to about 3 ¾ inches. For example, the height of thesmall product box 300 is selected based on the size of the products 320placed in the apertures 318 of the small product box 300.

The width of the small product box 300 is between about 2 to about 4inches, preferably between about 2 ¼ to about 3 ½ inches, morepreferably between about 2 ½ to about 3 inches. For example, when thesmall product box 300 includes four products 320 across the width andeach of the products 320 have a width of ½ inch, the small product box300 has a width of 3 inches.

The depth of the small product box 300 is between about 1K to about 3inches, preferably between about 2 to about 3 inches, more preferablybetween about 2 ¼ and about 2 ½ inches. For example, the depth of thesmall product box 300 is 3 inches to allow the small product box 300 tosupport a 4×4 grid of the products 320.

The longitudinal dividers 314 divide the small product box 300 into agrid with between about 1 to about 4 apertures on each longitudinal sideand between about 1 to about 4 apertures on each latitudinal size.Preferably, each side of the small product box 300 is divided intobetween about 2 to about 3 apertures.

Tea bags are placed in the aperture 318 in a vertical position, whereeach tea bag is rolled up and fastened in place, e.g., with string. Insome implementations, the tea bags are placed in a wrapper to ensurefreshness of the tea.

In certain implementations, the wrapper is made from paper, such asrecycled paper. In other implementations, the wrapper is manufacturedfrom plastic or cellophane, in another implementation, the wrapper ismade from wax paper with a foil lining, or some combination of paper,plastic, foil, metal, or cellophane.

When the small product box 300 includes dividers in only a singledirection, e.g., between 1 and 3 latitudinal dividers 316 or between 1and 3 longitudinal dividers 314, the tea bags can be placed in theapertures 318 in a horizontal position. For example, tea bags can berolled and placed horizontally across the apertures 318. Alternatively,flat tea bags, with or without a wrapper, can be placed in the apertures318.

In other implementations, the small product box 300 does not include anydividers. For example, rolled or flat tea bags are positioned in alongitudinal direction in the small product box 300. Alternatively, thetea bags can be positioned in a latitudinal direction across the bottomsurface of the small product box 300.

In certain implementations, the small product box 300 includes a supportbox positioned on the bottom surface of the small product box 300. Thesupport box, for example, raises the products 320 to allow the productsto be viewed by a user. In some implementations, placing a support boxin the small product box 300 allows the small product box 300 to havethe same height as the large product box 100 while allowing the products320 to be easily removed from the small product box 300.

In some implementations, the large product box 100 includes tea bagsinstead of the product trays 120 a-b. For example, a plurality of flattea bags can be positioned in the large product box 100. In anotherexample, the flat tea bags can be positioned among latitudinal dividers.For example, between 1 and 8 dividers, preferably between 2 and 4dividers can be evenly spaced along the longitudinal axis L of the largeproduct box 100 to support the flat vertical tea bags.

Alternatively, when the large product box 100 includes only latitudinaldividers, roiled tea bags can be placed horizontally between thedividers. For example, between about 4 and about 8 rolled tea bags canbe placed between each divider, preferably between about 4 and 6.

In implementations where rolled vertical tea bags are positioned in thelarge product box 100, the large product box 100 can be divided intomultiple apertures that correspond with one or more of the rolledvertical tea bags. For example, the large product box 100 can includebetween about 1 and about 4 longitudinal dividers and between about 1and about 4 latitudinal dividers.

The wrapper placed around the tea bags can include one or more flanges.For example, when the wrapper is made from plastic, a rolled tea bag canbe placed in an opening of the wrapper that is along one of thelongitudinal edges and the longitudinal edge can be sealed to form aflange. Alternatively, when more than a single side of the wrapper isunsealed, multiple flanges can be formed on the wrapper forming a sealto increase the shelf life of the tea or coffee included in the bag. Forexample, flanges can be formed on the top, bottom, or a combination ofedges.

In some implementations, when the tea bags are rolled, the tea bags canbe placed in a tube that helps increase the shelf life of the tea. Forexample, a tube formed from foil and plastic can be used to seal the teabag.

The tea or coffee bags can include a tag attached to a string. The tagcan be used to identify the flavor of tea in the bag. In certainimplementations, the string can be used to remove the tea or coffee bagfrom a cup after the tea or coffee has steeped.

The tea or coffee bags placed in the small product box 300 or the largeproduct box 100 can be manufactured from a natural fabric, such as silk.In some implementations, a synthetic polymer, such as nylon, is usedduring the manufacturing process. In certain implementations, the bagsinclude between about 0 to about 50% polypropylene, preferably betweenabout 0 and about 30% polypropylene or alternatively between about 30and about 50% polypropylene.

In some implementations, the bags are manufactured from biodegradablematerial or a mesh. In one example, the bags are made from bamboo, andin another example, the bags are made from hemp.

In some implementations, materials used for the bags and/or the wrapperare certified. For example, the bags can have organic, fair-trade,non-GMO or kosher certification.

One implementation includes a system comprising a rectangular container.The rectangular container includes four side surfaces, a first topsurface, a first bottom surface, and a first aperture. Each of the fourside surfaces is fixedly mounted to an edge of the bottom surface andthe top surface is hingedly mounted to one of the four side surfaces. Afirst longitudinal axis of the aperture is parallel to a secondlongitudinal axis of one of the four sides not hingedly mounted to thetop surface.

In this implementation, the system includes at least one tray. The trayis supported by the first bottom surface and is positioned in the firstaperture. Each tray includes at least one second aperture in a secondtop surface of the tray. Each second aperture supports a cup. A thirdlongitudinal axis of the tray is parallel to the first longitudinal axisof the first aperture.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications are optionally made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A packaging box containing a plurality of dividersthat divide the packaging box into a plurality of apertures, whereineach aperture is configured to support a product.
 7. The packaging boxof claim 6, wherein the product is a single tea bag that is rolled andplaced vertically into the aperture.
 8. The packaging box of claim 6,comprising a plurality of longitudinal dividers and a plurality oflatitudinal dividers.
 9. The packaging box of claim 8, wherein thelongitudinal and latitudinal dividers divide the packaging box into agrid having one to four apertures on each longitudinal side and one tofour apertures on each latitudinal side.